June 2: The First Chronicle of my Adventures 2018

After fourteen years at 7521 Westmore Drive in Northern Virginia, I left it, Joe in my heart, for the last time on May 30th. My car was overloaded with whatever I thought I would need for the next four months until I have my own permanent house.  My last few days in Virginia I spent at Verna's house, a beautiful and welcoming haven.  It was bitter-sweet leaving my many friends.  Church, professional, neighbors, and various other friends had many farewell parties and lunches for me which involved  food, gifts, and even a special "May" song by the Quinns.  I hadn't realized how many loving friends I had and how much I would miss you all!  After a visit to Arlington Cemetery, not that Joe is there but just because I won't be able to visit the resting place of his remains for a while, it was time for the next chapter of my life.

With Verna and Jessica at Arlington Cemetery

The drive from Springfield to Sewanee was not difficult: Only two patches of heavy rain along the eleven-hour drive.  I did a lot of introspection along the way, listening to classical music, and conversing with Joe.  (No: I have not gone crazy, but I get solace from talking things out aloud with him, although passing cars undoubtedly wondered about my sanity.) The whole experience of moving alone for the first time in 45 years was quite surrealistic: downsizing, witnessing movers take away the history of 14 years to storage, meeting at settlement with various entities to close the deal on the house, knowing that I own no house right now, moving in with a friend in Sewanee, all of it felt like a disjointed dream.

I have a great family and a network of friends whose love is incredibly gratifying. I am not sure why I deserve it.  My two girls and my siblings (one brother and two sisters) call me on a daily basis. My close friends text, call, and pray for me regularly.  So, I am fine.  Well, sort of fine.  Unloading my car to the house where I will be staying for the foreseeable future took two hours and was not pretty.  Bag ladies don't have much advantage over me.  Right now, the master bedroom, which my loving friend Margaret has bestowed upon me, looks beautifully tidy and calming.  But dare step into the huge walk-in closet and the plethora of plastic shopping bags, suitcases, cardboard and plastic boxes, and other miscellaneous items would make my mother disown me!  However, unlike my abode in Monteagle last year, where the Windex bottle was an extension of my hand to batttle the various species of insects and other creatures, this house is beautiful and immaculate. Its owner is even more so.  She is loving, inclusive, sharing, and most welcoming.  In fact, she took me in tow to my first dinner party my second night in town.

My first full day at home, which is on the beautiful campus of the University of the South, I spent establishing an identity: bank, post office, University HR office.  Perhaps the best part of this move is being around my grandchildren.  I had dinner with the Kings my first night. Both Fred and Bea insisted on sitting next to me at the dinner table--what a gift!  I read them their goodnight books before I drove the short distance back to my house, where my roomie was ready with a glass of wine and scintillating conversations.

I am blessed.  I sleep the whole night peacefully.  I have no worries.  The pervasive sadness is not quite as debilitating.  My life is full of blessings: you, my friends and family.

Come and visit me here on this blog whenever you want to see what I am doing.  I will be updating it on a weekly basis. And make sure you plan to visit me after January of 2019, when I hope I will be established and ready to welcome you and reciprocate the love you have shown me.